# Chris O'Donnell
**Chris O'Donnell** (born 1970) is an American actor known for leading roles in 1990s films, for playing [Dick Grayson](https://www.edgepedia.org/dick-grayson)/Robin in two Batman films, and for starring as Special Agent G. Callen on the CBS series *NCIS: Los Angeles* from 2009 to 2022[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/). His full name is Christopher Eugene O'Donnell[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/bio).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970, Winnetka, Illinois; birth name Christopher Eugene O'Donnell[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/bio) |
| Breakout role | Charlie Simms opposite Al Pacino in *Scent of a Woman* (1992); 1993 Golden Globe nominee for Best Supporting Actor and winner of the Chicago Film Critics Award[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) • [3](https://www.cinema.com/people/002/082/chris-odonnell/) |
| Superhero roles | Dick Grayson/Robin in *Batman Forever* (1995) with Val Kilmer and *Batman & Robin* (1997) with George Clooney, both directed by Joel Schumacher[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) |
| Signature TV role | Special Agent G. Callen on *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009–2022), 14 seasons[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) • [4](https://www.tvinsider.com/1295915/chris-odonnell-ncis-new-york-callen-ll-cool-j-sam/) |
| Current series | Captain Don Hart on the ABC drama *9-1-1: Nashville* (2025– ), his first series role after *NCIS: Los Angeles*[5](https://extratv.com/2026/03/05/chris-o-donnell-on-moving-out-of-l-a-for-9-1-1-nashville-exclusive/) |
| Family | Married to Caroline Fentress; the couple have five children[6](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/chris-o-donnell/) • [7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html) |
| Recognition | Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on the north side of the 6600 block of Hollywood Boulevard[7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html) • [8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/) |
## Early life and start in show business
O'Donnell was born in [Winnetka, Illinois](https://www.edgepedia.org/winnetka-illinois), to Julie Ann (Rohs) and William Charles O'Donnell, Sr., who managed the CBS radio station WBBM-AM. As the youngest of seven kids, he had four sisters and two brothers; on his father's side the family was of Irish descent, while his mother descended from German, English, and Swiss forebears[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/bio). He was raised in a Roman Catholic family and attended Catholic schools, including Loyola Academy in [Wilmette, Illinois](https://www.edgepedia.org/wilmette-illinois), graduating in 1988[9](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/5516/chris-odonnell).
He began modeling at age 13 and moved into television commercials within about three years[8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/) • [10](https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9610/961012/10150003.htm). A notable early job was a [McDonald's](https://www.edgepedia.org/mcdonalds) ad in which he served a hamburger meal to NBA star [Michael Jordan](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-jordan)[8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/). His first television appearance came in 1986, in an episode of the ABC drama *Jack and Mike*, which was shot in Chicago[9](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/5516/chris-odonnell) • [8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/).
At 17, preparing to stop acting and modeling, he was asked to audition for his first film, *Men Don't Leave* (1990), directed by Paul Brickman and starring [Jessica Lange](https://www.edgepedia.org/jessica-lange). He did not want to go; his mother persuaded him with the promise of a new car, and he was cast as Lange's son[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/bio) • [7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html). Because the film conflicted with college, [Boston College](https://www.edgepedia.org/boston-college) admitted him with a delayed January start so he could shoot it[7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html).
His college record is reported differently by sources. *US Magazine* and TVmaze state that he graduated from Boston College with a bachelor's degree in marketing[6](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/chris-o-donnell/) • [9](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/5516/chris-odonnell), while a 1996 Roanoke Times profile says he left after two years to appear in *Scent of a Woman* and never returned[10](https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9610/961012/10150003.htm).
## 1990s film career
After *Men Don't Leave*, O'Donnell appeared in a string of well-received films, including *Fried Green Tomatoes* (1991), *School Ties* (1992) with [Brendan Fraser](https://www.edgepedia.org/brendan-fraser), and *Scent of a Woman* (1992), directed by [Martin Brest](https://www.edgepedia.org/martin-brest)[8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/) • [1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/). His supporting role opposite [Al Pacino](https://www.edgepedia.org/al-pacino) in *Scent of a Woman* earned him a 1993 Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role and the Chicago Film Critics Award; the film won Pacino the Best Actor Oscar[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) • [3](https://www.cinema.com/people/002/082/chris-odonnell/). *Blue Sky*, which reunited him with Jessica Lange, was completed in 1991 but not released until 1994[8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/).
He played D'Artagnan in *The Three Musketeers* (1993)[11](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/), and took starring roles in *Circle of Friends* (1995) with [Minnie Driver](https://www.edgepedia.org/minnie-driver), *Mad Love* (1995) with [Drew Barrymore](https://www.edgepedia.org/drew-barrymore), *The Chamber* (1996) with [Gene Hackman](https://www.edgepedia.org/gene-hackman), and *In Love and War* (1996) with Sandra Bullock[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/).
**Robin.** His most famous role of the decade was Dick Grayson/Robin, first opposite [Val Kilmer](https://www.edgepedia.org/val-kilmer) in *Batman Forever* (1995) and then alongside [George Clooney](https://www.edgepedia.org/george-clooney) in *Batman & Robin* (1997), both directed by Joel Schumacher[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/). The 1997 sequel, though a modest commercial hit, was critically dismissed and brought the Batman film franchise to a halt for nearly a decade[8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/). O'Donnell later said he took the role partly as career strategy but wanted other challenges; after the second Batman film he sought a part opposite Gene Hackman in *The Chamber* that would let him play someone his own age[10](https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9610/961012/10150003.htm).
His later 1990s films included Robert Altman's ensemble piece *Cookie's Fortune* (1999), the romantic comedy *The Bachelor* (1999) with Renée Zellweger, and the action film *Vertical Limit* (2000)[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) • [8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/).
## Move to television
By 2001 O'Donnell began stepping away from movies, taking guest roles on shows such as *The Practice*, *Two and a Half Men*, and *Grey's Anatomy*, with occasional film work including a supporting part in *Kinsey* (2004) with Liam Neeson[8](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/). He has described the period after stepping back from film as difficult, saying opportunities were not easy to come by; a lead role in a Williamstown Theatre Festival production of Arthur Miller's *The Man Who Had All the Luck*, which moved to Broadway, renewed his confidence and helped pave the way to television roles[7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html).
**NCIS: Los Angeles.** In 2009 he began starring as Special Agent G. Callen on *NCIS: Los Angeles*, the CBS spin-off following an undercover unit confronting criminal organizations threatening the West Coast, with LL Cool J as his partner Sam Hanna[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) • [12](https://elpais.com/television/series/ncis-los-angeles/). The role ran 14 seasons, ending in 2022[1](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/) • [4](https://www.tvinsider.com/1295915/chris-odonnell-ncis-new-york-callen-ll-cool-j-sam/). He also played Jack McAuliffe in the TNT miniseries *The Company* (2007)[9](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/5516/chris-odonnell) and reprised Callen in a 2023 guest appearance on *NCIS: Hawaiʻi*[9](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/5516/chris-odonnell).
**9-1-1: Nashville.** In 2025 he returned to series television as Captain Don Hart, a firefighter captain and rodeo rider, on the ABC spin-off *9-1-1: Nashville*, his first series role since *NCIS: Los Angeles*[5](https://extratv.com/2026/03/05/chris-o-donnell-on-moving-out-of-l-a-for-9-1-1-nashville-exclusive/). The production move to Nashville came shortly after his family was displaced from their Pacific Palisades home for eight months following wildfires[5](https://extratv.com/2026/03/05/chris-o-donnell-on-moving-out-of-l-a-for-9-1-1-nashville-exclusive/). Ahead of the show's second season, he launched a production company, Lone Cypress Entertainment, whose first feature project, *Kilkenny*, was announced in October 2026[13](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/a74133799/911-nashville-season-2-cast-chris-odonnell-production-company/) • [14](https://wisevoter.com/world/us/2026/10/15/chris-odonnell-launches-lone-cypress-entertainment).
## Personal life
O'Donnell is married to Caroline Fentress[6](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/chris-o-donnell/). Speaking at Boston College, he said he and his wife of nearly 20 years then had five children, and that he puts faith and family before career[7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html). He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame[7](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html).
## References
1. [Chris O'Donnell, Golden Globes Awards Database](https://goldenglobes.com/person/chris-odonnell/)
2. [Chris O'Donnell Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/bio)
3. [Chris O'Donnell Biography, Cinema.com](https://www.cinema.com/people/002/082/chris-odonnell/)
4. [Chris O'Donnell Addresses Possibility of Bringing Callen to 'NCIS: New York', TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/1295915/chris-odonnell-ncis-new-york-callen-ll-cool-j-sam/)
5. [Chris O'Donnell on Moving Out of L.A. for '9-1-1 Nashville' (Exclusive), Extra](https://extratv.com/2026/03/05/chris-o-donnell-on-moving-out-of-l-a-for-9-1-1-nashville-exclusive/)
6. [Chris O'Donnell News, Us Weekly](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/chris-o-donnell/)
7. [Chris O'Donnell Opens 10th Season of BC Agape Latte, Boston College](https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/faith-religion/jesuit-catholic/chris-o-donnell-at-agape-latte01.html)
8. [Chris O'Donnell, Hollywood Star Walk, Los Angeles Times](https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/chris-odonnell/)
9. [Chris O'Donnell, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/5516/chris-odonnell)
10. [Beneath Star Chris O'Donnell's Nice-Guy Image Is, Well, a Nice Guy, Roanoke Times (1996)](https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9610/961012/10150003.htm)
11. [Chris O'Donnell, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000563/)
12. [NCIS: Los Ángeles, El País](https://elpais.com/television/series/ncis-los-angeles/)
13. ['9-1-1: Nashville' Star Chris O'Donnell Reveals a Huge Career Move Ahead of Season 2, Good Housekeeping](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/a74133799/911-nashville-season-2-cast-chris-odonnell-production-company/)
14. [Chris O'Donnell Launches Lone Cypress Entertainment, Wisevoter](https://wisevoter.com/world/us/2026/10/15/chris-odonnell-launches-lone-cypress-entertainment)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames O to Pa*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license